(Vatican Radio) The Immaculate Conception of Mary is “inscribed in God’s plan; it is the fruit of God’s love which saves the world.” These were Pope Francis’ comments during his weekly Angelus address for the second Sunday of Advent which coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

On this Feast, the Holy Father said, our gaze turns to the “beauty of the Mother of Jesus, our Mother!” It is with great joy, he continued, that the Church contemplates the words of Saint Luke “full of grace” (Lk 1:28). Mary, moreover, guides us as we journey towards Christmas, teaching us “how to live this time of Advent waiting for the Lord.” Pope Francis went on to say that the Immaculate Conception was inscribed in God’s plan; it was the fruit of God’s love whereby the world was saved.

After leading the crowds in Saint Peter’s Square in praying the Angelus, the Pope expressed spiritual closeness to the Church in North America, which is celebrating the 350th anniversary of its first parish: Notre-Dame de Québec.

The Holy Father concluded his Angelus address by wishing everyone a happy feast of Our Lady, and a good lunch.

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday received in audience a delegation from the Dignitatis Humanae Institute (DHI) which is celebrating its fifth anniversary.The DHI, otherwise known as the Institute for Human Dignity, was founded in 2008 as a think tank with the aim of protecting and promoting an authentic vision of human dignity.Addressing the delegates, the Pope warned against a “culture of waste” in which the victims are the unborn, the poor, the elderly, and the disabled. Such a culture leads to a “practical atheism”, he said, whereby man denies that he is made in God’s image and likeness.Rather, he said, if we allow the Word of God to challenge us in our personal and social consciousness, and “allow ourselves to question our ways of thinking and acting, policies, priorities and choices, then things can change.”One of delegates present at the audience was Alojz “Lojze” Peterle, a member of the European Parliament and former prime minister of Slovenia.“If we wish to put man at the centre, then we should respect the dignity of each human being,” he told Vatican Radio, noting how this was one of sentiments of the founding fathers of the European Union.“We should reconsider,” he continued, what “it means to respect human dignity, which is mentioned on the first charter of fundamental human rights.”

by Paul DakikiASIA NEWS REPORT: Al Jazeera broadcasts video in which the religious sisters claim to be "protected" for " their safety." Shortly before, the al- Ahrar Brigades Qalamoun , the opposition claimed the kidnapping and demanded the release of thousands of Syrian women in prisons Assad . Watch the video .

Beirut ( AsiaNews) - The group of Orthodox nuns kidnapped December 2 from their monastery in Ma'aloula, appeared yesterday in a video broadcast by Al Jazeera. In it, the nuns reassure everyone by saying that they are comfortable and that will be released within two days.

A few minutes before the video was released, a rebel group calling itself Ahrar al-Qalamoun Brigades claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and called for the release of "a thousand Syrian women detained in prisons of the Syrian regime" in exchange for the release of the sisters.The amateur video shows the sisters in a large room with sofas. The person filming is a man who is never scene in the video but questions and suggests things to say to the sisters .

"We are fine. We're staying at a beautiful villa and we'll leave in two days," says one of the nuns in the video."We left the monastery because of the intensity of shelling ... We call for an end to the shelling of churches and mosques ... Our hosts are kind and they have taken care of us," says another nun."We were treated in a good manner and we're happy because we were evacuated from the monastery" says a third nun.A fourth held woman added: "We will leave in two days". Then almost recovering, states: "We are not abducted, we only kept in safety."

The sisters continue to say that "the group that hosts them and that made ​​them leave the monastery of St. Thecla", did so for their "safety". And ensure that they are "13 religious and three civilians to have left the monastery because of the bombing".

THE theme of the inaugural Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF), ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me’ (Luke 4:18), was brought to life as more than 3000 young people from around Australia gathered for the opening plenary at Festival Hall in Melbourne this afternoon.

The event kicked off the three day celebration of what it means to be young and Catholic. It is the largest national gathering of Catholic young people since Sydney’s World Youth Day in 2008.

View gallery of the ACYF Opening PlenaryDarwin’s Bishop Eugene Hurley welcomed participating youth, priests and bishops to the festival, before Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Apostolic Nuncio in Australia, greeted the young people on behalf of Pope Francis.The ACYF Animators Dance troupe had the crowd up on their feet learning the first sequence of a specially choreographed dance. The crowd danced in the aisles to the jubilant strains of Imagine Dragons' 'On top of the world'.The two hour plenary then entered a time of prayer and reflection, beginning with the procession of the ACYF symbols, which will remain on the main stage until the ACYF comes to a close on Saturday night.The Gospel passage containing the festival’s theme was then read, followed by James Edwards performing the ACYF theme song Your Spirit, which he composed for the festival.Newly installed Archbishop of Canberra Goulburn, Archbishop Christopher Prowse gave a shout out to youth from each state, as well as Australia’s indigenous participants, drawing loud cheers and applause from an energetic and appreciative crowd.Archbishop Prowse called young people to reflect on their participation in the ACYF and their individual Catholic vocation in the light of three great questions inspired by St Ignatius of Loyola: What has God done for me? What have I done for God? and What do I want to do for God in my life?Following Archbishop Prowse’s inspiring address, Tessa Ganley from Port Pirie in South Australia, delivered a powerful message, calling on her fellow participants at the ACYF to be the change they want to see in the world and not to turn a blind eye.'The spirit of the Lord is upon us!' she said in conclusion.Steve Angrisano then took to the stage to lead the young crowd in prayerful song, before giving a powerful testimony of his experience of nuns witnessing to their Catholic mission by being a living reflection of God to the world.'We should wake up and see that there is a world we can change,' he said with heartfelt enthusiasm.The opening plenary came to a close in prayer and song.The young crowd then made its way to the Australian Catholic University for a jam-packed evening of speakers, performers, workshops and activities.Photography by Fiona Basile, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne/Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2013http://www.cam.org.au/News-and-Events/News-and-Events/News/Article/15995/Youth-festival-opens-in-Melbourne#.UqR5CvRDuSp

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday met with the participants of the 26th Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, meeting under the theme “Proclaiming Christ in the digital age.”

Pope Francis said the rise and development of the internet raises the question of the relationship between faith and culture.

Looking back to the first centuries of Christianity, the Pope pointed out Christians encountered the “extraordinary legacy” of Greek culture.

“Faced with philosophies of great profundity and educational methods of great value – although steeped in pagan elements, the Fathers did not shut them out, nor on the other hand, did they compromise with ideas contrary to the Faith,” Pope Francis said. “Instead, they learned to recognize and assimilate these higher concepts and transform them in the light of God’s Word, actually implementing what Saint Paul asks: Test all things and hold fast to that which is good.”

He said this also applies to the internet.

“You must test everything, knowing that you will surely find counterfeits, illusions and dangerous traps to avoid,” Pope Francis said. “But, guided by the Holy Spirit, we will discover valuable opportunities to lead people to the luminous face of the Lord. Among the possibilities offered by digital communication, the most important is the proclamation of the Gospel.”

He said it is not enough to acquire technological skills, however important. He said the internet must be used to meet “often hurting or lost” real people and offer them “real reasons for hope.”

“The announcement [of the Gospel] requires authentic human relationships and leads along the path to a personal encounter with the Lord,” he said.

“Therefore, the internet is not enough; technology is not enough,” Pope Francis continued. “This, however, does not mean that the Church's presence online is useless; on the contrary, it is essential to be present, always in an evangelical way, in what, for many, especially young people, has become a sort of living environment; to awaken the irrepressible questions of the heart about the meaning of existence; and to show the way that leads to Him who is the answer, the Divine Mercy made flesh, the Lord Jesus.”SHARED from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/07/pope_francis:_use_internet_to_offer_real_reasons_for_hope/en1-753611of the Vatican Radio website

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 129

Reading 1 WIS 9:13-18B

Who can know God’s counsel,or who can conceive what the LORD intends?For the deliberations of mortals are timid,and unsure are our plans.For the corruptible body burdens the souland the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.And scarce do we guess the things on earth,and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty;but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdomand sent your holy spirit from on high?And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.

Responsorial Psalm PS 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.You turn man back to dust,saying, “Return, O children of men.”For a thousand years in your sightare as yesterday, now that it is past,or as a watch of the night.R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.You make an end of them in their sleep;the next morning they are like the changing grass,Which at dawn springs up anew,but by evening wilts and fades.R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.Teach us to number our days aright,that we may gain wisdom of heart.Return, O LORD! How long?Have pity on your servants!R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;prosper the work of our hands for us!Prosper the work of our hands!R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Reading 2 PHMN 9-10, 12-17

I, Paul, an old man,and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,whose father I have become in my imprisonment;I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.I should have liked to retain him for myself,so that he might serve me on your behalfin my imprisonment for the gospel,but I did not want to do anything without your consent,so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while,that you might have him back forever,no longer as a slavebut more than a slave, a brother,beloved especially to me, but even more so to you,as a man and in the Lord.So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.

Gospel LK 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,and he turned and addressed them,“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,wife and children, brothers and sisters,and even his own life,he cannot be my disciple.Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after mecannot be my disciple.Which of you wishing to construct a towerdoes not first sit down and calculate the costto see if there is enough for its completion?Otherwise, after laying the foundationand finding himself unable to finish the workthe onlookers should laugh at him and say,‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’Or what king marching into battle would not first sit downand decide whether with ten thousand troopshe can successfully oppose another kingadvancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?But if not, while he is still far away,he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.In the same way,anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessionscannot be my disciple.”

2013

The Immaculate Conception – Celebrating the Blessed Virgin’s Mary’s conception as freed from all sin -

Feast: December 8

Plenary indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas every day, and who shall afterwards, either on the Feast-day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, pray to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

NOVENA-

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

PREPARATORY PRAYER FOR EVERY DAY OF THE NOVENA.

Virgin most pure, conceived without sin, all fair and stainless from thy Conception; glorious Mary, full of grace, Mother of my God, Queen of angels and of men, - I humbly venerate thee as Mother of my Saviour, who, though He was God, taught me by His own veneration, reverence, and obedience to thee, the honour and homage which are due to thee. Vouchsafe, I pray thee, to accept this Novena, which I dedicate to thee. Thou art the safe refuge of the penitent sinner; it is very fitting, then, that I should have recourse to thee. Thou art the Mother of compassion; then wilt thou surely be moved with pity for my many miseries. Thou art my best hope after Jesus; thou canst not but accept the loving confidence that I have in thee. Make me worthy to be called thy son, that so I may dare to cry unto thee,Monstra te esse matrem.Show thyself a mother.

Nine Ave Maria’s, one Gloria Patri, and the following Prayer.

PRAYER FOR THE FIRST DAY. Nov. 30.

Behold me at thy sacred feet, O Immaculate Virgin. I rejoice with thee, because from all eternity thou wast elected to be the Mother of the Eternal Word, and wast preserved stainless from the taint of original sin. I praise and bless the Most Holy Trinity, who poured out upon thy soul in thy Conception the riches of that privilege. I humbly pray thee to obtain for me grace effectually to overcome the sad effects produced in my soul by original sin; make me wholly victorious over them, that I may never cease to love my God.

After the Litanies, or Hymn as above, say as follows:

V. All fair art thou, O Mary.R. All fair art thou, O Mary.V. The original stain is not in thee.R. The original stain is not in thee.V. Thou art the glory of Jerusalem.R. Thou art the joy of Israel.V. Thou art the honour of our people.R. Thou art the advocate of sinners.V. O Mary.R. O Mary.V. Virgin most prudent.R. Mother most clement.V. Pray for us.B. Intercede for us to our Lord Jesus Christ.

V. In thy Conception, O Virgin, thou wast immaculate.R. Pray for us to the Father, whose Son was born of thee.

Let us pray.O God, who through the Immaculate Conception of a Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for Thy Son, we beseech Thee, who by the death of that Son, foreseen by Thee, didst preserve her from every stain of sin, to grant that by her intercession we also may be purified, and so may come to Thee.

O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful, graciously look down upon Thy servant N., whom Thou host chosen to be the pastor of Thy Church; and grant him, we beseech Thee, both by word and example, so to direct those over whom Thou hast placed him, that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may attain eternal life.

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all holiness, listen to the pious prayers of thy Church, and grant that what we ask in faith we may effectually obtain. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The same order is to be observed en all the other days of the Novena, the Prayers for the Day alone being changed.

PRAYER FOR THE SECOND DAY. Dec. 1.

Mary, unsullied Lily of purity, I rejoice with thee, because from the first moment of thy Conception thou wast filled with grace, and hadst given unto thee the perfect use of reason. I thank and I adore the Ever-blessed Trinity, who gave thee these high gifts. Behold me at thy feet overwhelmed with shame to see myself so poor in grace. O thou who wast filled full of heavenly grace, grant me a portion of that same grace, and make me a partaker in the treasures of thy Immaculate Conception.Litanies, &c., as before.

PRAYER FOR THE THIRD DAY. Dec. 2.

Mary, mystic Rose of purity, I rejoice with thee at the glorious triumph thou didst gain over the serpent by thy Immaculate Conception, in that then wast conceived without original sin. I thank and praise with my whole heart the Ever-blessed Trinity, who granted thee that glorious privilege and I pray thee to obtain for me courage to overcome every snare of the great enemy, and never to stain my soul with mortal sin. Be thou always mine aid, and enable me with thy protection to obtain the victory over all the enemies of man’s eternal welfare.Litanies, &c., as before.

PRAYER FOR THE FOURTH DAY. Dec. 3.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Mirror of holy purity, I rejoice exceedingly to see how from thy Immaculate Conception there were infused into thy soul the most sublime and perfect virtues, with all the gifts of the Most Holy Spirit. I thank and praise the Ever-Blessed Trinity, who bestowed upon thee these high privileges, and I beseech thee, gracious Mother, obtain for me grace to practise every Christian virtue, and so to become worthy to receive the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost.Litanies, &c., as before.

PRAYER FOR THE FIFTH DAY. Dec. 4.

Mary, bright Moon of purity, I congratulate thee in that the mystery of thy Immaculate Conception was the beginning of salvation to the human race, and was the joy of the whole world. I thank and bless the Ever-blessed Trinity, who did so magnify and glorify thy Person. I entreat thee to obtain for me the grace so to profit by the Death and Passion of thy dear Son, that His Precious Blood may not have been shed upon the cross for me in vain, but that after a holy life I may be saved.Litanies, &c., as before.

PRAYER FOR THE SIXTH DAY. Dec. 5.

Mary Immaculate, brilliant Star of purity, I rejoice with thee, because thy Immaculate Conception brought exceeding joy to all the angels in Paradise. I thank and bless the Ever-blessed Trinity, who enriched thee with this privilege. Enable me also one day to take part in this heavenly joy, praising and blessing thee in the company of angels world without end. Amen.Litanies, &c., as before.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVENTH DAY. Dec. 6.

Mary immaculate, rising Morn of purity, I rejoice with thee, and I am filled with admiration at beholding thee confirmed in grace and rendered sinless from the first moment of thy Conception. I thank and praise the Ever-blessed Trinity, who elected thee alone from all mankind for this especial privilege. Holiest Virgin, obtain for me an entire and lasting hatred of sin, as the worst of all evils, that I may rather die than ever again commit a mortal sin.Litanies, &c., as before.

PRAYER FOR THE EIGHTH DAY. Dec. 7.

Mary, Virgin, Sun without stain, I congratulate thee, and I rejoice with thee, because God gave unto thee in thy Conception a greater and a more abundant grace than He gave to all His angels and His saints together, even when their merits were most exalted. I thank and admire the immense beneficence of the Ever-blessed Trinity, who hath dispensed to thee alone this privilege. O, enable me too to correspond with the grace of God, and never more to receive it in vain; change my heart, and help me to begin in earnest a new life.Litanies, &c., as before.

PRAYER FOR THE NINTH DAY. Dec. 8.

Immaculate Mary, living Light of holiness, Model of purity, Virgin and Mother, as soon as thou wast conceived thou didst profoundly adore thy God, giving Him thanks, because by means of thee the ancient curse was blotted out, and blessing was again come upon the sinful sons of Adam. Let this blessing kindle in my heart love towards God; and do thou inflame my heart still more and more, that I may ever love Him more constantly, and afterwards eternally enjoy Him in heaven, there to thank and praise Him more and more fervently for all the wondrous privileges conferred on thee, and to rejoice with thee for thy high crown of glory.Litanies, &c., as before.